Poll: U.S. needs a health care plan

Congress, White House need to work together if Supreme Court kills law

Associated Press

Published 10:46 pm, Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin

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FILE - In this March 25, 2012, file photo, the U.S. Capitol is seen on the eve of the Supreme Court arguments on President Obama's health care legislation, in Washington. A new poll finds that Americans overwhelmingly want the president and Congress to get to work on a new bill to change the health care system if the Supreme Court strikes down President Barack Obamas 2010 law as unconstitutional. That doesnt seem to be in either partys plans on the verge of the high courts verdict on the law that was aimed at extending health insurance to more than 30 million Americans who now lack coverage. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) less

FILE - In this March 25, 2012, file photo, the U.S. Capitol is seen on the eve of the Supreme Court arguments on President Obama's health care legislation, in Washington. A new poll finds that Americans ... more

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin

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FILE - This March 22, 2012, file photo, shows the Supreme Court in Washington. A new poll finds that Americans overwhelmingly want the president and Congress to get to work on a new bill to change the health care system if the Supreme Court strikes down President Barack Obamas 2010 law as unconstitutional. That doesnt seem to be in either partys plans on the verge of the high courts verdict on the law that was aimed at extending health insurance to more than 30 million Americans who now lack coverage. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File) less

FILE - This March 22, 2012, file photo, shows the Supreme Court in Washington. A new poll finds that Americans overwhelmingly want the president and Congress to get to work on a new bill to change the health ... more

Photo: Haraz N. Ghanbari

Poll: U.S. needs a health care plan

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WASHINGTON — Just a third of Americans back President Barack Obama's health care overhaul on which the Supreme Court is about to pass judgment, a new poll finds. But there is overwhelming support among both supporters and opponents for Congress and the President to begin work on a new bill if the high court strikes down the two-year-old law.

The overall level of support for the law is relatively unchanged in recent months, with 47 percent opposing it. But an Associated Press-GfK poll shows that only 21 percent of independents approve of the law, a new low in AP-GfK polling.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the 2010 law in the next week or so. Most of the law's major changes aimed at extending health insurance to more than 30 million Americans who now lack coverage have yet to take effect, including the requirement that most people have health insurance or pay a penalty. The insurance mandate has been among the least popular aspects of the law. Provisions that have gone into effect include extended coverage for young adults on their parents' insurance and relief for seniors with high prescription drug costs.

But whatever people think of the law, they don't want a Supreme Court ruling against it to be the last word on health care reform. More than three-fourths of Americans want their political leaders to undertake a new effort, rather than leave the health care system alone if the court rules against the law, according to the poll.

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Large majorities of both opponents and backers of the law share the view that Congress and the President should start anew. The lowest level of support for new health care action comes from people who identify themselves as tea party supporters. Even in that group, though, nearly 60 percent favor work on a new bill.

Gary Hess, a Republican from Discovery Bay, Calif., wants the high court to reject the entire law.

But Hess, 77, said he favors the provision requiring insurers to cover people regardless of their medical condition. "There needs to be compromise on both sides," the retired school administrator said.

Garrett Chase, 51, said he hopes the court leaves the law in place but agreed with Hess that the politicians should get back to work if it is struck down. "I live in the ghetto, and I see people dying every day," said Chase, an unemployed car salesman from Baltimore. "They can't get help because they can't afford it."